Jake Hunter - Randolph Record

29 Aug

UCA’s Hunter hones skills after MVP honor

Bob SuttonSportsAmateur baseball, Jake Hunter, Prep baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Jake Hunter was the Most Valuable Player in the Class 1A state finals a few months ago. (NCHSAA photo) ASHEBORO – When Jake Hunter was named the Most Valuable Player of the state championship baseball series in the spring, it turns out he was just getting warmed up. The Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher had a summer filled with travel baseball and has been assessing some of the college recruiting interest that has been directed his way. “I kind of set my focus on travel ball and doing what I need to do to play college baseball,” Hunter said. Yet he…

03 Jun

Eagles soar to state baseball crown with stellar pitching

Randolph RecordSportsBrett Smith, Carter Brown, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, state playoffs, Ting Stadium, Trey Kennedy, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

The UCA baseball team collected another state championship banner. (NCHSAA photo) HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team won in different fashions in two games in the Class 1A state finals at Ting Stadium. But stellar pitching was one of the staples as the Eagles repeated as state champions. UCA pitcher Brett Smith kept Northside-Pinetown in check and the Eagles were boosted by Trey Kennedy’s go-ahead home run in a 6-1 victory Saturday afternoon against Northside-Pinetown, sweeping the best-of-3 series. While UCA (28-6) needed an extra inning in the series opener Friday night, the Eagles had a less adventurous…

08 Apr

Prep baseball: UCA blasts three foes in Asheboro event; Randleman adds to win total during spring break

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Jake Hunter, McCrary Park, Parker Kines, Prep baseball, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, UCA Eagles, Walker Wilkins, Wheatmore Warriors

Southwestern Randolph’s Grant Kirk slides into the plate to score a run against Westchester Country Day School last week at McCrary Park in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team won three times in the Asheboro ZooKeepers Classic last week at McCrary Park. The Eagles socked Southern Alamance 12-1, trounced Jordan-Matthews 15-5 and topped Montgomery Central 9-0. Wheatmore had a winning record in the classic, while Southwestern Randolph and Asheboro both finished with 1-2 records in the multi-day competition. UCA’s Jake Hunter pitched in the first game of the event. Walker Wilkins had four hits, including…

04 Jun

UCA stamps season as state champs

Randolph RecordSportsBen Medinger, Carter Brown, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Coach Rob Shore, here during the Class 1-A state finals, directed Uwharrie Charter Academy to a state championship in his first season as head coach. (P.J. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team looked the part of state champion. The Eagles kept their crisp play in place all the way through the Class 1-A state finals. UCA won the title for the second time in four seasons by sweeping North Moore in the best-of-3 series at Ting Stadium. Saturday’s clincher came in the form of an 8-1 victory with pitcher Brett Smith firing a five-hitter. He struck…

02 Jun

UCA rides Hunter’s pitching, defense to Game 1 win in state finals

Randolph RecordSportsBen Medinger, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, North Moore, Prep baseball, Ting Stadium, Troy Carver, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Uwharrie Charter Academy first baseman Ben Medinger tags out North Moore’s Elliot Furr as part of a pick-off play during Game 1 of the Class 1-A state finals Friday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) HOLLY SPRINGS – Freshman Jake Hunter threw a complete game as Uwharrie Charter Academy defeated North Moore 2-1 in the opening game of the Class 1-A state championship series Friday at Ting Stadium. Game 2 in the best-of-3 competition is at 11 a.m. Saturday, with a third game, if necessary, at 5 p.m. “Game 1 is really big,” Hunter said. “It’s hard to win two games in a…

01 Jun

Eagles soar at right time: UCA set for state finals vs. North Moore

Bob SuttonSportsBen Medinger, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, North Moore, Peyton McCollum, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Troy Carver, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Ben Medinger has been a key hitter for Uwharrie Charter Academy's baseball team this year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – It wasn’t all great for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team this season. But the Eagles have good timing. That’s why they still have games to play entering June. UCA will compete for a state championship. “We started out a little slow and we found a rhythm,” senior left fielder Peyton McCollum said. “We felt like we had the potential.” The Eagles (20-10) take on North Moore (22-8) in the best-of-3 Class 1-A state championship series beginning Friday at Ting Stadium…

26 May

UCA Eagles sweep Eastern Randolph in regional finals

Bob SuttonSportsBen Medinger, Brent Haynes, class 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Pierce Leonard, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Stratton Barwick, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

UCA team members gather after winning the Class 1-A West Region title. Clutch late-inning work boosts UCA’s baseball team RAMSEUR – It was pretty much a matter of Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team making the best of tough situations Thursday night. By doing so, the Eagles are heading to where they want to go. UCA completed a Class 1-A West Regional finals sweep of Eastern Randolph by winning 8-1 in Game 2, scoring all their runs in the last two innings. “It still hasn’t sunk in,” UCA senior Ben Medinger said of the chance to play for a state title.…